Plan at a glance
Entrance, ticket and trailhead
Yixing Bamboo Forest is in Zhuhai Village, Hufu Town, Yixing, Wuxi. The main entrance is in the village, but the sightseeing bus terminal called Haidi is the actual start of the mountain trail. The adult ticket is CNY 80, usually CNY 65–70 when bought ahead online; the scenic area generally opens from 08:00 to 17:00, with no mandatory reservation. Confirm the day's hours before travelling.
How much time to allow
The easy route using the internal bus and cable car takes about 2–2.5 hours. The fuller route, walking uphill and taking the cable car down, takes about 3.5–4.5 hours. Yixing Bamboo Forest suits nature, hiking and photography, but the steps and limited supplies affect the physical demand, so allow time for the actual climb rather than judging the visit from the entrance distance alone.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
View Visit Optionsvia Trip.comChoose your visit
Mirror Lake, the Jade Corridor and Su'nan First Peak
Mirror Lake is good for bamboo reflections, and the Jade Corridor is a trail through the bamboo. Su'nan First Peak is 611.5 metres high and gives views across the bamboo forest toward the three-province border area. The cable car offers an aerial view of the slopes, while Lingyun Pavilion is a good high-level photo point; summer is cooler, while rainy days require more attention to the path and visibility.
Who it suits
Hikers and forest photographers can walk up and take the cable car down. Visitors who want fewer steps can use the cable car in both directions. Older people, children and anyone with knee problems should assess the trail first; there are few public toilets and supply points along the climb, so handle water, snacks and personal needs at the entrance or the summit.
Build your day
A 2–2.5-hour easy route
Take the sightseeing bus from the entrance to the cable-car station, ride the cable car to the summit, visit Su'nan First Peak and Lingyun Pavilion, then take the cable car down and the sightseeing bus back to the exit. The sightseeing bus costs about CNY 15 per one-way ride and the cable car about CNY 60 per one-way ride. This route suits visitors with limited time or anyone who should avoid a long uphill climb.
A 3.5–4.5-hour walking route
First take the sightseeing bus from the entrance to Haidi, then walk past Mirror Lake and the Jade Corridor and climb to the summit, allowing about 1.5–2 hours for the ascent. Visit Lingyun Pavilion and Su'nan First Peak, then take the cable car down and walk out of the park. Walking uphill uses more energy than the full transport route, while the cable car down reduces knee strain; work backward from the last transport departure when deciding when to descend.
Get there
Driving and parking
The drive from central Wuxi takes about one hour. Navigate to Yixing Bamboo Forest; parking lots 1–3 are near the entrance, with Lot 1 the closest, and parking costs about CNY 15 per visit. Driving is useful if you need more control over the return, but after parking you still need to follow the internal transport plan to reach the trailhead.
High-speed rail, bus and internal transport
From Yixing Railway Station, weekend visitors can use the free tourist shuttle or take Bus 201, which costs about CNY 4 and usually operates around 06:00–17:00. The sightseeing bus links the entrance, Haidi, the cable-car station and the exit, while the cable car links the hillside and summit. Non-drivers should confirm the last bus at around 17:00; a taxi after the descent may take time, so arrange the return early.
Know before you go
Steps, toilets and supplies
The mountain trail has many steps and is hard on the knees, while public toilets and supply points are scarce along the way. Fill your water bottle and buy snacks at the entrance or summit, wear shoes with good grip, and expect wet bamboo paths in rain. Cable-car operation and summit visibility may also change with the weather.
Nearby planning and food
Nearby options include Taozu Sacred Site, Longchishan Bicycle Park and Yaohu Town, but Yixing Bamboo Forest already needs about half a day, so confirm the return before adding another stop. Xiangshan Restaurant near the scenic area serves clay-pot fish head, black sticky rice and local farm dishes; parking and meals are separate arrangements.